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Reviews Michael Wenger, Acting Vice President The Little Book of Dialogue for Difficult Subjectsoffers an excellent step by step guide on how to effectively utilize dialogue to ease tensions around divisive issues. Written in an easy-to-read style, it clearly articulates the value of dialogue in helping people to find common ground on difficult issues, takes the reader through the process of organizing, designing and facilitating a dialogue, provides a five-part framework for evaluating the dialogue, describes how dialogue differs from other forms of communication, and explains how to move from dialogue to action. Professionals in many fields-teachers at all levels, workshop facilitators, religious and community leaders, and business leaders, among others-will find it useful in helping to encourage people to talk openly, thoughtfully, and productively on a range of issues of mutual concern. People in the political arena, where rhetorical excess too often leads to polarization and policy-making gridlock, may find the process particularly constructive as they seek to break the gridlock and fashion rational policy on critical issues of the day. As one who works to promote community-based racial justice and racial reconciliation, I have a special interest in this book. I believe it can be extremely valuable in assisting communities as they seek to build a better and deeper understanding among people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, bridge long-standing and destructive racial divisions, and forge stronger, more united and more dynamic communities. One of the authors, Dr. David Campt, specializes in interracial dialogue and served as a Senior Policy Advisor for President Clinton's Initiative on Race. His unique insights are evident throughout the book. For example, his suggestion that an opening question in a dialogue about race relations that asks participants what their parents taught them about "race" is much more effective than asking what their parents taught them about "racial oppression" reveals an approach that encourages openness and the seeking of common ground rather than a more confrontational approach that puts people on the defensive and accomplishes little. Examples like this abound throughout the book. Importantly, the authors are not blindly wedded to the use of dialogue in every situation. They recognize that it is not always appropriate and that its greatest value is in using it strategically. Thus, they devote an entire chapter to describing the conditions under which dialogue can be most useful and the various forms that dialogues can take, depending on the circumstances. Authors Campt and Schirch have made a valuable contribution to our healing journey. If we follow their guidance and learn to utilize dialogue in appropriate situations rather than limit ourselves simply to debate and division, we likely will promote better policy-making, speed racial and ethnic healing, and build stronger and more cohesive communities. I hope that every community leader who cares about building a stronger and more united community will read this book and take its wisdom to heart.
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